Sean McKenna in FierceHealthPayer:Anti-Fraud: What Payers Need to Know About the False Claims Act

07/09/2014

FierceHealthPayer:Anti-Fraud spoke to Sean McKenna, J.D., to learn how the False Claims Act--a federal law dating back to the Lincoln administration--helps combat today's healthcare fraud. McKenna is a partner in the Dallas office of Haynes and Boone, LLP. His professional background includes 15 years in law enforcement, most of which he spent working for the federal government as an assistant U.S. Attorney.

FierceHealthPayer:Anti-Fraud:Why has the False Claims Act become such an important tool for the federal government in fighting healthcare fraud?

Sean McKenna: The False Claims Act (FCA) is the signature anti-fraud weapon of the United States because of broad liability provisions that can lead to significant damage awards for any person or company doing business with the federal government.

The statute authorizes not only treble damages but a mandatory penalty of between $5,500 and $11,000 per false claim. The FCA's severe remedies, along with attendant costs of responding to FCA lawsuits, the loss of goodwill and employee morale, and the specter of exclusion or debarment push most defendants to settle allegations before trial.

Excerpted from FierceHealthPayer:Anti-Fraud, July 9, 2014. To view full article, click here.

Email Disclaimer

Sending an email will not establish an attorney-client relationship. You should not send us any information that you want treated confidentially. By clicking Accept you acknowledge that we may review and use any information you transmit to us.